Beet-harvesting machine.



PATENTED APR. 8, 1906.

- G. L.WINTERBURN. BEET HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOH FILED JAN.12, 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET.1.

0. L. WINTERBURN. BEBT HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.12, 1503.

4 8HEETS-SHEET 2.

Wit ess as:

PATENTED APR. 3, 1906.

C. L. WINTERBURN. BEET HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION IILED JAN. 12, 1903.

PATENTED APR. 3, 19 0's.

4 HEETSBHEET 3.

'PATENTB'D APR. 3, 1906.

ATPLIUATION FILED JAN. 12, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4-.

4, Jll ii m a M .fll w R. M w M llgvegtor unrrnn STATES PATENT orrr cn.

QLAREFCE L. l/VINTERBURN, ()F KALAMAZOO, MlCHlGAN. ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECTAND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF TWO-THIRDS TO \VILLIAM H. FNGEL, OF KALAMAZOO,R'IICHIGAN. AND \VILLIE H. DEAL, OF ()SH- TEMO, MIUH 1G ANBEET-HARVESTING MACHINE.

Specificationoi Letters Patent.

Patented April 3, 1906.

Application filed January 12, 1903. Serial No. 138,680.

To r171 1071mm it may concern: I

Be it known that I, CLARENCE L. WINTER- BURN, a citizen of. the UnitedStates, residing at the city of Kalamazoo, in the county of .5 Kalamazooand State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Iuprovemcnts-in Beet-Harvesting Machincsjof which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in to beet-harvesting machines.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improvedtopping-machine with means for cutting off and removing the tops fromthe rows of beets; second, to provide in a beet-harvesting machineefficient means for pulling the beets from the ground and removing thesoil therefrom without injury thereto; third, to provide an etlicientstructure wherein the topping and pulling means are under efficientindependent control;

fourth, to provide in a beet-harvesting machine a combination of partswhich are to a considerable extent automatic to facilitate their propercontrol.

Further objects will definitely appear from the detailed description tofollow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined, and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustratedin the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, inwhich- Figure 1 is a detail side elevation view of my improvedbeet-harvesting machine, the

tongue or pole and a portion of the carrier being broken away, the axlebeing in section 4 and the right-hand wheel being removed. Fig. 2 isplan view of my improved machine, showing the details and arrangement ofthe parts. Fig. 3 is afront elevation view of the structure as itappears in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the method ofadjusting the cutter-disks in their relation to the guidewheel to securethe best results. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of thepulling part with its connections. Fig. 6 is a detall sectional viewshowing the means for adjusting the puller-points m their relation toeach other. Fig. 7 is a detailsectional elevation view taken on line 7 7of Fig}, showing the details of the supporting and adjusting arts.

p In the drawin s the sectional views are taken looking in t e directionof the little arrows at the ends of the sectionlines, and similarletters ofreference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, an axle A is carried bythe drivingwheels A and A, which also serve as the carryin ewhcels.Sprocket-wheels are provided on the axle for driving the various movingparts.

The frame of the machine is made up of side pieces B B, which extendforwardly to form the tongue of the machine. These are secured togetherat intervals by suitable cross-pieces. The frame is secured to the axleby supports B and braces B. These supports and braces are connected tothe axle by brackets, which are provided with suitable boxings. Suitablearms 0 0 extend from the axle and frame rearwardly to support aseat 0for the operator, who from this position has control of the variousparts of themachinc, as will fully appear fromthe description following.

The parts will be described beginning at the front of the machine, asthat will logically describe the order in which the "arious parts arebrought into use in operation.

Extending fonvardly from the axle A are pairs of arms F F, to which theframe E, which supports the topping i-nechanism, is secured. Uprightshafts E E, carrying the topping-disks E I", are carried by this frameE. T hose arms F F arepivoted on the axle A to permit the free raisingand lowering of this topping means. The arms F F at one side areextendedforwardly beyond the frame E to support a guide-wheel G. Theaxle ofthis guide-wheel is adjustable up and down in the slots fprovided for that purpose in the arms. This. guide-wheel G is supportedto one side of the center of the machine, so that it travels oncomparatively level ground by the side of the row of beets.

The frame E is adjustable to and from the vertical position by means ofbolts in 'the slots 20 in the arms f, as clearly appears in Fig. 4, andby this means tht f'relative posishafts E E.

tion of the cutters to the guide-wheel G is controlled, so that the samewill properly engage and retain their position at the proper elevationon the beets in the row.

The cutters E E are circular blades secured by suitable flanges to thebottom of the These shafts are connected by suitable beveled gears S tothe shaft R, which is provided with a sprocket-wheel I. Thesprocket-wheel I is connected by thes rocketchain it to a largedriving-sprocket on the main. axle of the machine.

he frame E is supported and adjusted up and down by a link J, which isconnected to an arm J on a suitable rock-shaft. This rock-shaft isrovided with an arm k, which is connected y a link 7r to a bell-crank J.The bell-crank J is connected by a link 1 to a pivoted frame Z, having acrossbar Z to the rear of the machine in position to form a foot-restfor the operator on the seat 0. A lever j is provided for locking thecutting means in an elevated position when it is desired to transportthe machine. A spring 7r is secured to the arm is to counterbalance theweight, so that it may be readily and easily manipulated, whereby theoperator can raise or lower the topping mechanism with his foot. Theguide wheel G assists in preventing the cutters descending too deep intothe ground if momentary control of the machine is lost. Secured to thesaid arms F, back of the frame E, by depending arms H is amoldboard-like deflector H for the severed tops. This deflector isprovided with a horizontal ortion extending over the blades E E.Suitable braces H are )rovided, so that this deflecting device isrigidly supported. Short arms 6 e, which may be either straight orslightly curved, as shown, are secured to one of the shafts E to strikethe severed tops from the beet-sbackward againstthc moldboard, so thatthey will be deflected and carried off to one side of the machine tofree the delivery means for acting upon the beets in the row, wherebythey will be readily separated from the tops. Supported to the rear ofthis topping'mechanism by the arms 0 is the pulling device. The pullingdevice consists of a vertical yoke-like frame made, preferably, of asingle piece of steel, bowed into an oblong form, With its open ends atthe bottom. Secured to the arms of this yoke are the pulling-points.These are preferably formed of rods C, having points C. The rods C arearranged and shaped to extend forwardly and downwardly, the points beingsomewhat divergent. The beets are loosened by the points and liftedgradually and 0211". ried upwardly by the rearwardly-extending portionsof the rods, so that they are raised entirely above the ground andgradually withdrawn from the "earth, so that the dan er of breaking isreduced to a minimum andthe dirt Will break away from the roots. The

is held very rigidly in relation to its support ing-arms. A link (i,which is pivoted toward the top of the yoke and extendsupwardly, is

connected to the hand-lever D, which is adjustable along a suitableratchetsegment D, as clearly appears in Fig. 1, so that the pullingdevice may be raised or lowered at the will of the operator. A bolt (1,otfsetsomewhat like a crank, extends between the sides of the frame Cand serves to adj net .the sides to and from each other to accommodatethe varying conditions, such as the size of the beets to be pulled,soil, &c., under which it may be desirable to operate the machine.Suitable lock-nuts are provided for. rot aining thisbolt in its adjustedposition.

I When in'operation, the beet-pulling part is dropped down to about theposition indi-- cated by dotted lines in Fig. i. This throws. the upperrear ends of thebars C backwardly into proximity with the elevatormeans. The elevator means is carried by supports P P,

depending from the frame at the rear of the machine.

The elevator mechanism is not herein described in detail, as it forms nopart of this invention.

The supporting-frames for the aprons being yieldingly supported inrelation to each other prevents clogging of the elevator mechanism andalso prevents injury to the beets.

The apron-rollers are provided with sprocket-wheels r r i, which areconnected by a suitable sprockebcliain M to a sprocketwheel M on thedriving-axle.

At the rear of the elevator mechanism is a carrier N, which ispreferably formed of net-- ting secured to a suitable frame, so that thedust and dirt will pass freely through the same.

The advantages of my improved beet-has vesting machine will, it isbelieved, appear' from the foregoing detailed description. I haveillustrated and described the same in the form preferred by me onaccount of economy of manufacture and ease in operation. I am, however,aware that it is capable ofvery great variation in structural detailswithout departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is 1 1. In a beet-harvesting machine, thecombination of an axle; wheels for supporting and driving the same; amain frame having journahboxes for said axle; forwardly-extending arms,-pivotally supported on said axle; a topper-frame carried by said arms;a-

pair of verticallynrranged shafts; cuttingdisks on the lower ends ofsaid shafts; a'driving-shaft; gear connections from said dI'IV-r ingshafts to said disk shafts; sprocketwheels on said axle anddriving-shaft; a sprocket-chain therefor; a guide-wheel for saidtopping-frame; means for raising and lowering said topping-frame; amoldboardlike deflector carried by said arms, arranged at the rear ofsaid cutting-disks radially-projecting arms on one of said disk-shaftsadapted to engage the severed tops of the beets; a pulling devicearranged at the rear of said deflector; a supporttherefor pivotallysupported on said axle; means for adjusting said pulling device; allcoacting for the purpose specified,

2. In a beet-harvesting machine, the co1nbination of an axle; Wheels forsupporting and driving the same a main frame having journal-boxes forsaid axle; forwardly-extending arms pivotally supported on said axle; atopper-frame carried by said arms; a pair of vertically-arranged shafts;cuttingdisks on the lower ends of said-shafts a driving-shaft; gearconnections from said driving-shafts to said disk-shafts; sprocketwheelson said. axle and driving-shaft; a sprocket-chain therefor; aguide-Wheel for said topping-frame; means for raising andlowering saidtopping-frame; a moldboardlike deflector carried by said arms, arrangedat the rear of said cutting-disks; a pulling de vice arranged at therear of said deflector; a

support therefor pivotally su ported on said axle; means for adjustingsai pulling device; all coacting for the purpose specified.

3. In a beet-harvesting machine, the combination of an axle; wheels forsupporting and driving the same; a main framehaving journal-boxes forsaid axle; forwardly-extending arms pivotally supported on said axle; atopper-frame carried by said arms; a

pair of vertically arranged shafts; cutting disks on the lower ends ofsaid shafts; a driving-shaft; gear connections from said drivingshaftsto said disk shafts; sprocketwheels on said axle and driving shaft; ,asprocket-chain therefor; a guide-wheel for said topping-frame; means forraising and lowering said topping-frame; radially-pro jocting arms onone of said disk-shafts adapted ta: engage the severed tops of thebeets; a pulling device arrangedat the rear of said deflector; a supportthereforvpivotally supported on said axle; means for adjusting saidpulling device; all coacting for the purpose specified.

4. In a beet-harvesting machine, the combination of an axle; wheels forsupporting and driving the same; a main frame having journal-boxes forsaid axle; forwardly-,extending arms pivotally supported on said axle; atopper-frame carried by said arms; a pairof vertically-arranged shafts;cuttingdisks on the lower'ends of said shafts; a driving-shaft; gearconnections from said driving-shafts to said disk-shafts; sprocketwheelson said axle and driving-shaft; a sprocket-chain therefor; a guide-wheelfor said topping-frame; means for raising and lowering saidtopping-frame; a pulling device arranged at the rear ofsaid deflector; a

ing-shafts to said disk-shafts; sprocketwheels on said axle anddriving-shaft;a

sprocket-chain therefor; means for raising and lowering saidtoppingframe; a moldboard-like deflector carried by said arms, ar-

1pivotally' supported on said -ing-shaft; gear connections from saiddrivranged at the rear of said cutting-disks; ra-

dially-projecting arms on one of said diskshafts adapted to engage thesevered tops of the beets; all coacting for the purpose specified.

6. In a beet-harvesting machine, the combination of an axle; wheels forsup orting and driving the same; a main frame laving ournal-boxes forsaid axle; forwardly-extendim arms iv'otallv su orted on said' is F PPaxle; a topperrame carried by said arms; a pair of vertically arrangedshafts; cuttlngdisks on the lower ends of saidshafts; a driv--ing-shaft;gear connections from said driving-shafts to saiddisk-shafts; sprocketwheels on said axle and driving-shaft; a

sprocket-chain therefor; a guide-wheel for said topping-frame; means forraising and lowering said topping-frame; radially-projecting arms on oneof said disk-shafts adapted to engage the severed tops of the beets, allcoacting for the purpose specified.

7. In a beet-harvesting machine, the combination of an axle; wheels forsupporting and driving the same; a main frame having journal-boxes forsaid axle; forwardly-extending arms ivotally supported on said axle; atopper-frame carried by said arms; a pair of vertically-arranged shafts;cuttingdisks on the lower ends of said shafts; a driving-shaft; gearconnections from said driving-shafts to said disk-shafts; sprocketwheelson said axle and driving-shaft; a sprocket-chain therefor; a guide-wheelfor said topping-frame; means for raising and lowering saidtopping-frame all coacting for the purpose specified.

8. In a beet-harvesting machine, the comhoard-like deflector carried bysaid arms, ar-

ranged at the rear of said cuttingdisks; and radially-projecting arms onone of said diskshafts adapted to engage the severed tops of.

itihe beets; all coacting for the purpose speci- 9. In a beet-harvestingmachine, the combmation of an axle; wheels for supporting and drivingthe same; a main framehavmg journal boxes for said axle; forwardlyex'tending arms pivotally supported on said axle a topper-frame carried bysaid arms; a pair of vertically-arranged shafts; cuttingdisks on thelower ends of said shafts; driving connections from said axle to saidshafts; means forraisingand lowering said toppingframe; ainoldboard-like deflector carried by said arms, arranged at the rear ofsaid out ting-disks; radially projecting. arms on one of saiddisk-shafts adapted to engage the sev ered tops of the beets; a pullingdevice arranged at the rear 'of said deflector a support thereforpivotally, supported on said axle; and means for adjusting said pullingdevice, all coasting for the purpose specified.

10. In a beet-harvesting machine, the combination of an axle; wheels forsupporting and driving the same; a main frame having journal-boxes forsaid axle; a topper -,frame carried by said arms; a pair ofvertically-arranged shafts; cutting disks on the lower ends of saidshafts; driving connections fromsaid axle to said shafts; means forraising and lowering said topping-frame; a moldhoard-like deflectorcarried by said arms, arranged at the rear of said cutting-disks; aulling device arranged at the rear of said deflector a support thereforpivotally supported on said axle; and means for adjusting said pullingdevice, all coacting for the purpose specified.

11. In a beet-harvesting machine, the combinaticn of an axle; wheels forsupporting and driving the same; a main frame having journal-boxes forsaid axle; forwardly-extending arms pivotally supported on said axle; atopper-frame carried y said arms; a pair of vertically-arranged shafts;cuttingdisks on the lower ends of said shafts; 'driv ing connectionsfrom said axle to said shafts;

erases device, all coaeting for the purpose specified.-

. 12. In a beet-harvesting machine, the combination of an axle; wheelsfor supporting and driving the same; a main frame having journal-boxesfor said axle; a topper-frame carried by said arms; a pair ofvertically-arranged shafts; cuttingedisks on the lowerends of saidshafts; driving connections from said axle to said shafts; means forraising and lowering said tcpping-frame; a pulling device arranged atthe rear of said deflector; a support therefor pivotally supported onsaid axle and means for adjusting said pullj pgd device, all eoactingfor the purpose speci- 13. In a beet-harvesting machine, thecombinationof an axle; wheels for supporting and driving the same; a main framehaving journal-boxes for said axle; forwardly --extending armspivotall-y supported on said axle; atopper-frame carried by said arms; apair of vertically-arranged shafts;'cuttingdisks on the lower ends ofsaid shafts; and an adjustable guide-wheel for said topping- .franie,all coacting for the purpose specified.

14. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame;carryingwheels; an axle therefor; a topper device; forwardlyprojectingarms pivotally secured to said axle bywhich said topper device iscarried; means for raising and lowering said topper device; a pullingdevice arranged to the rear of said to per device; carryin' armstherefor pivotall secured to said ax e; means for adjusting said pullingdevice; and a'draft-rod connected to the carrying-arms of said pullingde-- vice, for the purpose specified.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a frame;carrying-wheels an axle therefor; a topper device; forwardlyprojectingarms pivotally secured to said axle by which said topper device iscarried; means for raising and lowering said topper device; a

